Liquid detergent



Sept. V22, 1964 .1. H. wlLsoN LIQUID DETERGENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1959 a? s oN B @v c IN VEN TOR. JAM ES H. WILSON BY BM/M/xwfm Sept. 22, 1964 J. H. wlLsoN LIQUID DETERGENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June l, 1959 INVENTOR. JAMES H. WILSON "Bw'n-u/w 'bfh'ga ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,150,098 LlQUll) DETERGENT .lames H. Wilson, Demarest, NJ., assigner to Lever Brothers Company, New Yorlr, NY., a corporation of Maine Filed lune 1, 1959, Ser. No. 817,263 l2 Claims. till. 252--l52) The present invention pertains to detergent compositions, and more particularly to liquid detergent compositions.

Heretofore, various light duty liquid detergent compositions have been proposed, light duty liquid detergents being especially adapted for the cleansing of dishes and line fabrics whereas heavy duty liquid detergents are especially designed for the cleansing of heavily soiled cotton fabrics and other fabrics. These light duty liquid detergent compositions, however, suffer from one or more serious disadvantages. For example, some of them are not homogeneous and hence they must be shaken prior to usage in order to obtain uniform dosages of the compositions. Other light duty liquid detergent compositions are homogeneous at room temperature, but they have a very high cloud point so that they lose their homogeneity when stored at a temperature only sliohtly below room temperature or lower. Some light duty liquid detergents are not clear and hence they do not present an appealing appearance to the user. While some heretofore known light duty liquid detergents may be clear and homogeneous and a so have a relatively low cloud point, they are nevertheless either too thick because of their high viscosity or too thin because of their low viscosity. Such high viscosity compositions are diicult to pour from the containers, they set up in the containers, and they disperse slowly in the wash water. The low viscosity compositions, on the other hand, are so thin that they run down the outside of the neck of the container during pouring. Also they give the impression that they are without substance or not sufticiently concentrated so that the consumer tends to overuse the compositions.

Accordingly, the objects of the present invention are to provide rlight duty liquid detergent compositions which are uniform, homogeneous and preferably clear; which clear compositions have a relatively low cloud point so that they remain clear when `stored at a temperature substantially below room temperature; and which have a medium viscosity so that they are neither too thin nor too thick.

in the drawings, FIGURES l and 2 aretriangular coordinate plots wherein the stippled areas are the relative amounts of the essential components making up typical total solids content of the light duty liquid detergent compositions or the invention.

The problem of providing light duty liquid detergent compositions which will meet all of the above objects of the invention proved to be very diiiicult. rl`he problem was only solved by discovering that such detergent compositions can be made, provided they are formulated from certain components, a critical minimum number of essential components, speciiic relative amounts of essential components, and limited total amounts thereof.

The light duty liquid detergent compositions of the invention which will meet all of the above objects of the invention are aqueous solutions of at least three essential components. One component is an anionic surfactant which is an alkali metal, eg., sodium, potassium, or ammonium, alkylbenzene slufonate, or phenylpolypropylene sulfonate disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,477,383 to Lewis, containing an average of from l2 to an average of l5 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. The preferred sulfonate is sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. Another ICC component is an alkali metal, eg., sodium, potassium, or ammonium, alkylphenoXy-polyoxyethylene sulfate, another anionic surfactant. These well known maten'als are sulfamic acid treated condensates of one mole of an alkylphenol with an average of four to six moles of ethylene oxide where the alkyl group contains from 9 to l2 carbon atoms. The preferred sulfate is ammonium dodecylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate. The remaining essential component is an alkali metal short chain alkylaryl sulfonate, such as sodium, potassium, and ammonium toluene sulfonate, and Xylene sulfonate.

These essential materials generally make up the total solids content of the aqueous solution. The total solids content lies in the range of from about 40% to about 50% by weight of the composition. The relative amounts of these three essential materials in the total solids content of the aqueous solution is such as to be sufficient to give the light duty detergent compositions a medium viscosity of from about 150 centipoises to about 625 centipoises at 80 F. (Brookfield Viscosimeten- No. 2 spindle-50 rpm.) and a cloud point of the clear compositions of less than 50 F., and preferably less than 40 F. Suitable relative amounts by weight of the preferred essential materials in the total solids content of the compositions are illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings wherein they fall within the stippled areas of the iigures. The stippled area in FIGURE l represents liquid detergent compositions of the invention which contain 40% by weight total solids, and the stippled area in FlGURE 2 represents liquid detergent compositions of the invention which contain 50% by weight total solids.

The liquid detergent compositions are readily prepared by dissolving the solids components thereof in water, or in a water-alcohol solution. Agitation and heating, of course, increase the rate of dissolution of the components and the rate of production of the compositions.

The light duty, liquid detergent compositions of the invention will be further illustrated by the following typical examples. The viscosities were determined at 80 F. using a Brookfield Viscosirneter-No 2 spindle-30 rpm.

Example 1 LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION Percent by Relative weight percent by Components of the weight of 40% composition total solids content Sodium dodccylbenzcne sulfonatc 15 40 Ammonium dodccylphenoxy-hexaoxycthylene sulfate 16 40 Sodium xylene sullonate. 8 20 er 6U PROPERTES OF FORMULATZON Clear homogeneous liqui Viscosity (centipoises) 425.

Cloud point 44.

Liquid characteristics at room temperature (70 ltr- F.).

Example 2 LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION Example Z--Continued Example -Continued PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION Liquid characteristics at room temperature (70 Clear homogeneous Liquid characteristics at room temperature Clear homogeneous F.75 F.). liquid. r. l(70c .F2-75 FIJ. l lrqrnd. Viscosity (centipoises) 310. Viscosityjcentipoises) 570. Cloud point F.) 47. Cloud point F.) 26.

Example 3 Example 7 LIQUID DETERGEN'I FORMULATION l LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION Percent by Relative t Percent by Relative Weight percent by weight percent by Components of the weight of 40% Components of the weight of I40% composition total solids composition total solids content content l5 Sodium dodccylbenzene sulfonatc 24 60 Sodium .dodecylbcnzene sullonote 10 25 Ammonium dodccylphcnoiry-heicaoxyeth` Ammomum dodecylpnenoxyylene sulfate 8 2o hexcoxyethylene sulfate.- 2o 5o Sodium iiylene sulfonate 8 20 Sodium xylcne sulionetel0 25 Water 60 "Water 60 PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION Liquid characteristics at room temperature (70 Clear homogeneous Liquid characteristics at room temperature Clear homogeneous F.75 F. liquid. (70 Ff-75 F: I liquid. Viscosity (centipoises) 195. Viscosityfcenotlpolses) 30o. Cloud point (c F.) 34. 25 Cloud point( F.) 2o.

Example 4 Example 8 LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION LIQUID DETERGENT FCRMULATION tbv 3 0 Percent gay Relativ; Weigi percent y Components conolfjiiion ultgaltsgll, Components colheon iigitgtsoz,

S v S content content Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate 22 55 r Ammonium 3 hexaoxycthylene sulfate.. l0 25 emmene Sulfate 17 5 35 Sodium xylene sulfonote. 8 20 Sodul XVI ui t 15 30 Water 60 n Water 50 PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION 40 PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION Lilld? SQSQS at room temperature Clllmogeucous Liquid chgacteristics at room temperature Clear l homogeneous Viscosityoeugipoiscs) 230 vigcfslft'fcenbolses) Sgqmd @10nd 901m i FJ 40 @10nd point F 15,

Example 5 45 Y Example 9 LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION l LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION Percent by Relative C Weight percentfby(77 JY plerlevy omponcnts o l e Weig ito 40) com r ponents of the u eight of 5017 composmon toctgglllltds y composition total solids o content ggiegg??ate" 12 30 Sodium dodeeylbenzene sulfonote 2d 5 53 hexeoxyethylene sulfate 20 50 AIlngngufggCylphenoxy'hex30W S 5 17 Xylene sulfonate 6g 20 55 Sodium xylene sulfo-n-a-te 15n 30 Water 50 PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION Liquid characteristics at room temperature Clear homogeneous Liquid characteristics i at room temperature Clear homogeneous (70 T11-75 F. 'qu' (70 F.-75 I1). liqu' Viscosity (centipoises) 452. Viscosity (centipoises) 320. Cloud point E) 36. Cloud point (o E.) 29.

Example 6 Example 10 LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION Percent by Relative i Percent by Relctiye Weight percent by weight percent by Components of the Weight of l10% Components of the weight of 50% composition total solids composition total solids content 7 Y content Sodium dodecylbenzene sullonate l0 25 Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonete 15 .Ammonium dodeeylpbenoxy- Ammonium dodecylpheuoxy-hexooxyhexaoxyethylene sulfate 21 52, 5 ethylene sulfate l5 30 Sodium xylene sulfonatc- 6g 22. 5 odtium xylenc sulfonate. 20 40 1 e er 50 Example 16 LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION Relative Percent by percent by Components weight oi weight of the composi- 50% total tion solids content Sodium dodeoylbenzene sullenate 18. 37 Ammonium dodeeylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate 12. 5 25 Sodium xylene sulfonate 16.0 32 Condensation product of l mole of dodecylphenol and moles (average) of ethylene oxide 3. 0 6 Water 50.0

PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION Liquid characteristics at room temperature (70 Clear homogeneous F -75 F liquid.

PROPERTIES OF FORMULATXON Liquid oclaraeteristics at room temperature (70 Clear homogeneous liquid. Viscosity (eentipoises) t Cloud point F.) 20.

Example 18 LIQUID DETERGENT FORMULATION Percent by Weight of Components: the composition Ammonium dodecylbenzene sulfonate 17.14 Ammonium nonylphenoxy tetraoxyethylene sulfate 11.87 Lauric diethanolamide 10.00 Sodium xylene sulfonate 7.00 Ethanol 2.80 Water 51.19

PROPERTIES OF FORMULATION Liquid `characteristics Vat room temperature (70 F.-

75 F.) clear homogeneous liquid Viscosity (centipoises) 0 Cloud point F.) 32

Various other modifications and changes may be made in the invention disclosed herein Without departing from the Ispirit thereof, and accordingly it will be understood that the invention is to be limited only Within the scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A uniform, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of from about .to about 50% by Weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially oi' about 15 to about 63% by Weight of an alkylbenzene sulfonate having au .alkyl group averaging from 12 to 15 carbon atoms, about 13 to about 53% by weight of an alkylphenoxypolyoxyethylene. sulfate having `an alkyl group of from 9 to 12 carbon atoms and containing from 4 to 6 oxyethylene groups, and about 17 .to about 43% by weight of a short chain alkylar'yl'sulfonate; Ithe relative amounts of said total solids components being adjusted to give the composition uniformity and a Viscosity of from about 150 centipoises to about 625 centipoises at F., the cationic portions of said three components being selected from the group consisting of Na, K and NH4.

2. A uniform, light duty, liquid detergent composition Vconsisting essentially of an aqueous solution of from about 40% -to about 50% by Weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially of about 15 to about 63% by Weight of sodium dodecylbenzene sulonate, about 13 to about 53% by weight of ammonium dodecylphenoXy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and about 17 to about 43% by Weight of a sodium Xylene sulfonate; the relative amounts of said total solids components being adjusted to give the composition uniformity and a viscosity of from about centipoises to about 625 centipoise at 80 F.

3. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of from about 40% to about 50% by Weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentimly of about 15 to about 63% by Weight of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, `about 13 to Aabout 53% by Weight of ammonium dodecylphenoXy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and about 17 to about 43% by Weight of a sodium Xylene sulfonate; the relative amounts of said .total solids components being adjusted to give ythe composition a viscosity of from about 150 centipoises to about 625 centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of less than 50 F.

4. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of from about 40% to about 50% by weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially of sodium dodecylbenzene suIOnate, ammonium dodecylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and sodium Xylene sulonate; the relative amounts of said total solids components lying within the stippled areas of FIGURES 1 and 2 and being selected so that the composition has a viscosity of from about 150 centipoises to `about 625 centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of less than 50 F.

5. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of au aqueous solution of about 40% by weight total 4solids content, which solids content consists essentially of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, ammonium dodecylphenoXytexaoxyethylene sulfate, and sodium Xylene sulfonate; the relative amounts of said total solids components lying Within the stippled area of FIGURE l and being selected so that the composition has `a viscosity of from about 150 centipoises to about 625 centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of less than 50 F.

6. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of about 50% by Weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, ammonium dodecylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and sodium Xylene sulfonate; the relative amounts of said total solids components lying Within the stip-pled area of FIGURE 2 and being selected so that the composition has a viscosity of from about 150 centipoises to about 625 centipoises at 80F. and a cloud point of less than 50 F. v

7. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of about 40% by weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially of about 60% by weight sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, about 20% by Weight ammonium dodecylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and about 20% by Weight sodium Xylene sulfonate; said composition having a viscosity of about centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of about 34 F.

8. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution oi about 40% by Weight total solids content, which vsolids content consists essentially of about 25% by Weight sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, about 52.5% by weight ammonium dodecylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and about 22.5% by weight sodium Xylene sulfonate; said composition having a viscosity of about 570 centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of about 26 F.

9. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of about 40% by Weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially of about 25% by Weight sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and about 50% by weight ammonium dodecylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and about 25% by weight sodium Xylene sulfonate; said composition having a viscosity of about 300 centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of about 25 F.

10. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of about 50% by Weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially of about 35% by Weight sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, about 35% by weight ammonium dodecylphenoXy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and about 30% by weight sodium Xylene sulfonate; said composition having a viscosity ot about 380 centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of about 15 F.

1l. A clear, homogeneous, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of about 50% by Weight total solids content, which solids content consists essentially of about 20% by Weight sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, about 45% by weight ammonium dodecylphenoxy-hexaoxyethylene sulfate, and about 35% by weight sodium xylene sulfonate; said composition having a viscosity of about 185 centipoises at 80 F. and a cloud point of about 8 F.

l2. A uniform, light duty, liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of about 17% by Weight of alkali metal dodecylbenzene sulfonate, about 12% by weight ammonium dodecylphenoxyhexaoxyethylene sulfate, about 7% by weight sodium Xylene sulfonate, about 6% by Weight lauric diethanolamide, and about 1% by weight polystyrene latex; said composition having a viscosity of about 200 centipoises at 80 F.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,677 Machlis et al Jan. 8, 1952 2,607,740 Vitale et al Aug. 19, 1952 2,859,182 Carroll Nov. 4, 1958 2,877,187 Henderson et al Mar. 10, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 729,531 Great Britain May 4, 1955 808,805 Great Britain Feb. 11, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Soap and Sanitary Chemicals, September 1949, page 77. Schwartz et al.: Surface Active Agents and Detergents, vol. II, 1958, pages 312 and 313. 

1. A UNIFORM, LIGHT DUTY, LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF FROM ABOUT 40% TO ABOUT 50% BY WEIGHT TOTAL SOLIDS CONTENT, WHICH SOLIDS CONTENT CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF ABOUT 15 TO ABOUT 63% BY WEIGHT OF AN ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE HAVING AN ALKYL GROUP AVERAGING FROM 12 TO 15 CARBON ATOMS, ABOUT 13 TO ABOUT 53% BY WEIGHT OF AN ALKYLPHENOXYPOLYOXYEDTHYLENE SULFATE HAVING AN ALKYL GROUP OF FROM 9 TO 12 CARBON ATOMS AND CONTAINING FROM 4 TO 6 OXYETHYLENE GROUPS, AND ABOUT 17 TO ABOUT 43% BY WEIGHT OF A SHORT CHAIN ALKYLARYL SULFONATE; THE RELATIVE AMOUNTS OF SAID TOTAL SOLIDS COMPONENTS BEING ADJUSTED TO GIVE THE COMPOSITION UNIFORMITY AND A VISCOSITY OF FROM ABOUT 150 CENTIPOISES TO ABOUT 625 CENTIPOISES AT 80*F., THE CATIONIC PORTIONS OF SAID THREE COMPONENTS BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF NA, K AND NH4. 